The Ohio State University seeks an outstanding faculty member to develop and lead our biomaterials/biopolymer research program. This position is partially funded by Ohio State’s Discovery Themes Initiative, a significant faculty hiring investment in key thematic areas in which the university can build on its culture of academic collaboration to make a global impact. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative interdisciplinary community of scholars in the Sustainable and Resilient Economy (SRE) program on two campuses including faculty from Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Business, Engineering, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Public Policy. The SRE program seeks to advance sustainability science by developing more holistic sustainable and resilient production and consumption systems, and understanding human-environment interactions, and innovations in sustainable technologies and governance. Successful applicants will be expected to participate in or lead collaborative teams and interdisciplinary research on sustainability and resilience topics.

The successful candidate is expected to:

•develop and lead high quality productive research and teaching programs that have state, regional, national and international impact;

•develop collaborative, interdisciplinary research and teaching programs that contribute to the mission of the department, college and university;

•collaborate with members of the business community to address industry challenges;

•write and obtain grants from private and public sources;

•publish research results in high quality scientific journals and develop high quality educational materials;

•develop a unique research program in the area of biomaterials/biopolymer engineering;

•take advantage of Wooster and Columbus Campus resources and interact with colleagues working in related areas such as crop development, bio-products, waste management and treatment, polymer production and engineering, chemistry and food science;

•collaborate with other disciplines across the University (e.g. Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, etc.) and program areas and centers (e.g. Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center; Institute for Material Research; Program of Excellence in Natural Rubber Alternatives; Center for Automotive Research; Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability; Center for Advanced Polymer and Composite Engineering, etc.) to provide engineering expertise related development of biomaterials; and

•advise graduate students and contribute to graduate education.

This position is partially funded by Ohio State's Discovery Themes Initiative, a significant faculty hiring investment in key thematic areas in which the university can build on its culture of academic collaboration to make a global impact. The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative interdisciplinary community of scholars in the Sustainable and Resilient Economy (SRE) program including faculty from Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Business. The SRE program seeks to advance sustainability science by developing a more holistic understanding of sustainable and resilient production and consumption systems, human-environment interactions, and innovations in sustainable technologies and policy. Successful applicants will be expected to participate in collaborative teams and interdisciplinary research on sustainability and resilience topics.

The position is located at the Ohio State University Wooster campus which is home to the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), a world leader in Ag Bioscience research, and the Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI). Wooster is located in northeastern Ohio approximately 50 mi (80 km) SSW of Cleveland, 35 mi (56 km) SW of Akron and 90 miles NE of Columbus. The recently completed FABE building is a LEED Silver, state of the art research facility with modern laboratory space, analytical equipment, a machine shop, high definition video-linked conference rooms, and student and faculty offices. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing options, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on education, agriculture and industry. Wooster was recently ranked as one of the “Best Small Towns” in the US by Money magazine, the sixth Best Small city in America and one of Ohio’s best hometowns.

Application review will begin January 31, 2018, and continue until a suitable candidate is found. Applicants should submit a letter of application; CV; academic transcripts; one-page summaries of their philosophy teaching/outreach, research and building an inclusive environment; and the names and contact information (address, email, phone) of three professional references. Application materials should be sent electronically to:

The Ohio State University is committed to establishing a culturally and intellectually diverse environment, encouraging all members of our learning community to reach their full potential. We are responsive to dual-career families and strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. We are an NSF Advance Institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

Minimum qualifications include an earned Ph.D. in agricultural, material, biochemical, biological, mechanical or polymer engineering or a closely related engineering discipline, as well as a strong commitment to research and outreach. Candidates who have commercial or industry research and development experience or have worked directly for industry are encouraged. Registration as a Professional Engineer or demonstrated eligibility is desirable. It is essential that the candidate has excellent speaking and writing skills; ability and desire to work in interdisciplinary, interdepartmental extension and research teams; and ability to teach in various Extension settings as well as in resident instruction. The candidate must establish and conduct a research program resulting in national impacts and high-quality publications. Desired experience includes developing and working in interdisciplinary teams, and experience in mentoring members of underrepresented populations